Quick turnaround

Not even a week and I'm blogging again.  I did say I'd be finishing up a sweater soon.  I finished it on Sunday and got it all washed up and photographed on Monday and Tuesday.  Without further ado,

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="341" caption="I'm, unoriginally, calling it $7.50 in Charleston"][/caption]

Pattern: $5 in Paris by Anna Peck

Yarn: Red Heart Soft

Needles: US 8 and 9

More details… here (ravelry link)

The pattern was easy, quick, and free.  The yarn is cheap and machine washable and dryable.  What more could a person ask for?  I could see myself doing this pattern again, probably in a solid color because I am tired of weaving in ends after all those stripes.  If you can't tell in the picture, the neck is so wide it will fall off my shoulders easily which is sort of what I was going for.  I wanted to be able to channel Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.  I've been going around singing Irene Cara's What a Feeling a lot since finishing it.  Maybe I'm too old to have a sweater falling off my shoulder.  I don't know.

So Loopas and Mom, what do you think?  (Anyone else who might read this is free to give opinions as well.)

Ready for Fall to get here already!

I've never thought of myself as a lover of the colder months of the year, but it seems lately I've really been craving cooler weather.  The thought of living somewhere with an actual winter season has even crossed my mind.  I believe most of this craving is based on my desire to break out the boots and scarves, not to mention all the cute jackets I've managed to acquire over the past few years.  Today, it was the coolest it's been in the area (upper 70s) and I did manage to wear boots for the first time since going to Paris, but couldn't stay in my latest handknit for any longer than it took to take the pictures.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="339" caption="100 percent wool is WARM!"][/caption]

Pattern: Cloudy Sunday by Hilary Smith Callis

Yarn: Louet Riverstone Chunky

Needles: US 11

More details… here (ravelry link)

I really enjoyed knitting this.  With the bulky yarn it knits up pretty quickly.  The pattern was easy to follow and, as part of Knit Pick's Independent Designer's Program, it was only $1.99.  What a deal, right?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="355" caption="Gotta love a big ol' cowl."][/caption]

As for how it turned out...  It's a bit roomy.  I underestimated how much it would grow during blocking.  Sooner or later I will get the hang of things and my sweaters will fit better.  I think it still looks pretty good though.  What do you think?

In the next few days I should be finishing up another sweater I've been working on.  I'll try to get it washed and photographed as soon as possible so everyone can see.  By the way, I am also close to finishing a cardigan.  I'm just a knitting machine.

Back by Popular Demand

That's right, I'm back again.  After much insistence from my two most loyal readers, the mother and the husband, I am going to post a new blog entry.

I'm recently back from Alabama.  I had a good time chilling out with the family and doing a smidgen of work.  I even got to eat some fresh-out-of-the-garden okra.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Who knew pre-okra was so pretty?"][/caption]

I also managed to get some knitting done while I was there.  I made some dishcloths for Mom (and Dad) that I didn't manage to get pictures of before they were being used.  I also knit on a cardigan.  I managed to knit the collar, but ran out of yarn before I could get the sleeves started.  I've done a bit of sleeve knitting since I've been back, but I still have a ways to go.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="336" caption="Delancey Cardigan"][/caption]

I'm sort of sad that I've managed to make this cardigan too big, but I still think it'll turn out ok.  I'll just have to rock a bit of the oversized look.  As soon as I finish the sleeves and find buttons, I'll show everyone how it looks.  On a happy side note, I've already purchased yarn to make another one and it should turn out better.

Since I've been back home, I've been knitting up a storm (and watching football).  While watching the Colts beat the stuffing out of the Giants Sunday night, I managed to finish the knitting on a new top and had it all seamed up yesterday.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="353" caption="Yay for knitting I can actually wear in Charleston!"][/caption]

Pattern: Embrace by Norah Gaughan

Yarn: Berroco Seduce

Needles: US 8

More details… here (ravelry link)

I really like it, even if Loopas isn't sure about it.  The yarn feels great and looks neat, but is possessed by the devil.  I was crazy enough to try to ball the first skein and it was tangled up so bad after about two seconds I spent more time than I care to admit untangling it.  The other skeins were knit straight from my swift and everything worked smoothly from there.

I also finished another top, but it is not ready for viewing just yet.  As soon as it is, I will post again.  Here's a sneak peak for now:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="Squishy ribbing!"][/caption]

J'aime tricoter.

I do like to knit, especially scarves.  I've really been on a scarf knitting kick the last couple of weeks.  Maybe I'm just getting ready for Paris.  I hear scarves are big over there.  It seems I'll be well stocked for the trip.  Two more scarves have been completed.  Loops was nice enough to take pictures of them.  Sadly, I cannot be serious when he takes my picture.  I always pull goofy faces.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="340" caption="I'm not sure what this look says."][/caption]

Pattern: Destroyed Cowl by Martha Merzig

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted

Needles: US 8

More details… here (ravelry link)

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332" caption="I almost have a normal expression."][/caption]

This yarn is soft, squishy, and a great color.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="372" caption="I luff this scarf!!!"][/caption]

Speaking of yummy yarns, the yarn used for the following scarf is super soft.  It is a mix of angora and merino wool.  I just wish I would've gotten it in a different color.  I'm just not into Bone right now.  I might have to give this one away.  I don't know.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="330" caption="I just don't think bone is my color."][/caption]

Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau

Yarn: Aslan Trends Invernal

Needles: US 10

More details… here (ravelry link)

As we "speak", I'm knitting another of these ruffled scarf out of the yummy Malabrigo in a lovely bright blue.

For now, au revoir.